Mangat launches Africa title bid

By Douglas Mazune 

2013 Africa Rally Championship Standings (top 4)

Eric Pages 25 pts

Jan Habig 25

Jassy Singh 18

Davite Giancarlo 15

JAS MANGAT will seize the opportunity to shake off stage fright in the special stage at Lusaka show grounds today as he embarks on a fourth attempt at the Africa championship in the Zambia International Rally. 

Coming off victory in the MPU Rally in Masaka early this month, Mangat (inset) driving a Subaru N12, takes on a numerical-ly small but formidable local and international challenge in the third round of the Africa Rally Championship.

African champion Mohammed Essa from Zambia, Africa championship contender and Zambian champion Jassy Singh and another local hero Paul Monge will ride on home advantage. 

Zimbabwean Jammie Whyte (Subaru N10), Rwandan Davite Giancarlo (Subaru N12) and Mangat will be out to beat the local drivers to a bigger share of Africa championship points.

Mangat, who suffered defeat to Essa in the Shell Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally last year, is presented with an opportunity for revenge.

The race that has 16 crews will have scrutineering of cars done this morning ahead of the ceremonial start and super special stage in the afternoon.

Zambia Motor Sport Association vice-president Sam Ching’ambu is looking forward to the race.

“We are set for the rally and all that is remaining is for the drivers to showcase what they have as we have done our part to ensure the event is held,” Ching’ambu was quoted as saying in The Times of Zambia yesterday.